A Billion Dollar Exchange - Chapter 198: In Denial

“Pretend to be my lover and join the social circle.”

Selena, the top star that had the entire world’s attention, was suddenly warped to Northern Duke’s land during an accident while filming. Kalcion, the Northern Duke that saved her from the infernal beasts, offers Selena a chance to go back home in return for collecting information in various social circles by pretending to be his lover. Selena quickly accepts Kalcion’s offer, but…

“Why in the world can’t you do this!?”
“Don’t you think that the answer to that should be obvious to you, the actress, not to me, the duke?”

There was a critical problem. The Northern Duke’s acting skills are horrible!

“…Let’s change the plan. I’ll seduce you instead.”

And thus the contractual relationship between the two started. Will Kalcion’s acting skill improve first, or will he start to have true feelings for Selena instead?

“Let me tell you something honey, Revenge is the best dish served cold.’’****To her, betrayal was the most excruciating pain in the world—the kind that pierced her soul.The people she had loved with her entire heart had not only failed her, but ruthlessly deceived her.“How could you?” she had once cried, her voice shaking as she stared at the man she had chased like a madwoman. But he had already cheated on her—expecting a child with the very woman she despised with every fiber of her being.Her so-called “family ” was no better. The relatives she thought she could trust? They only wanted the inheritance meant for her and her little brother.The people who once smiled sweetly and flattered her? They were nowhere to be found when her glamorous and envious life crumbled to nothing.“I thought you all cared about me...” she whispered bitterly, watching as one by one, they all turned their backs on her when she needed them the most.In that devastating moment, everything became painfully clear. The bubble she had lived in popped and she finally saw their true faces.But....it was too late.Everything she had was gone, slipping through her fingers like sand in the wind.Except for him.Her former fiancé, the one man she had tried to ruin with every scheme she had planned, remained by her side until the end. He stood by her, even as she took her final breath.She had accepted her tragic fate—until something phenomenal happened. She woke up once again.Back to the past.Where nothing had happened yet.

As a professional and amateur of astronomy, every time I look up at the billions of stars in the night sky, it is hard to imagine that among these huge numbers, human beings live alone in the universe.

When I opened my eyes again, I was already in a magical world based on the eight powers of knowledge, power, authority, faith, wealth, dexterity, perception, and mystery.

Looking up at the starry sky in another world, is my hometown among these billions of stars?

Searching for a possible way home. It may take a lifetime, it may be ten, but it is always a hope.

- Description from novelbuddy

[Warning: Mature Content]Shuri Lee never imagined her quiet, unassuming life would lead her to Noran Kingston, a world-renowned pianist admired for his brilliance. Despite her humble background and the Kingston family’s disdain, their love was pure and unstoppable. Against all odds, they eloped, creating a life of quiet joy—until tragedy struck.Shuri’s life was cruelly taken, leaving Noran broken and consumed by vengeance. In his grief, he destroyed those responsible before ending his own life, desperate to reunite with her.But fate granted him a second chance.Awakening years earlier at the peak of his fame, Noran vows to rewrite their story. This time, he will protect Shuri at any cost. “I’ll never let you go, Rin. Not again.”No longer just a pianist, Noran builds a global empire to shield her from harm. But as he reshapes their future, he discovers that Shuri carries secrets—hidden truths that could still tear them apart.